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The Latitudes Podcast, powered by iTOO Artinsure

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We are thrilled to announce the launch of our very own podcast produced in partnership with iTOO Artinsure.

Hosted by dynamic broadcast journalist and penchant for the arts Refiloe Mpakanyane, The Latitudes Podcast, which is the only podcast dedicated to contemporary African art, is an immersive and engaging platform that builds a new layer of access to the contemporary visual arts from Africa.

Latitudes is now a pan-African platform with a global audience, and this podcast is an additional discoverability tool for global audiences to uncover African art and learn about the featured topics and speakers.

Season one of the Latitudes Podcast explores new ways of accessing and thinking about the contemporary visual arts from Africa, while building a robust archive of thought leadership.

If you're keen to learn more about speaking and advertising opportunities, reach out to us.

Listen to the latest episodes

To say that I am giddy with excitement about hosting the Latitudes Podcast, is the understatement of the century. I have been the biggest fan of their amazing art platform since their launch in 2019, they’ve done amazing work so far and I feel blessed to be a part of the journey - talking about, celebrating, interrogating, the state of, as well as exploring, African art from the continent, the diaspora, anywhere and everywhere! Being able to see, witness and uplift emerging and established artists who are doing amazing things not just for themselves but for African art at large is why I do what I do.

Introducing Dynamic Podcast Host: Refiloe Mpakanyane

Refiloe Mpakanyane is a broadcast journalist, with a penchant for the arts. Known for her love and support of local literature, art and artists, Mpakanyane has an Honours Degree from the Wits School of Journalism and majored in International Relations, Media Studies and English Literature for her undergrad. Her firm grounding in the critical, analytical and creative thinking of the humanities discipline has underpinned her passion for broadcasting, leading her to delve into working not only behind the scenes in radio and television production, but in front of the camera and hosting her own radio shows as well.

Mpakanyane love of words has led her to writing for Baobab Literary Journal (reviews and opinion pieces on literature, the arts and social commentary); for various online publications as well as being a columnist (The Paragon) for Ster Kinekor’s art house film magazine Film Finesse.

Mpakanyane has produced Metro FM’s talk show as well as an arts and culture show on Radio 2000. Thereafter she hosted her own Youth Talk show on Radio 2000. Refiloe then went on to host a Lifestyle and Arts show on Metro FM called La Bonne Vie. This dynamic young woman has acted in the Clint Eastwood movie, Invictus (2009) and local feature film Nothing For Mahala (2013). Refiloe has interviewed an extensive, eclectic and exciting mix of musicians, actors, politicians and captains of industry. From South Africa’s jazz luminary Hugh Masekela, maskandi singer Busi Mhlongo, to actors John Kani, Kevin Spacey and Don Cheadle; American Civil Rights activist Rev. Jessie Jackson; Directors Chris Nolan as well as South African Gavin Hood of Tsotsi acclaim and U2 front man Bono.

Mpakanyane is also a voice over artist and mc. Her proudest achievements have grown to include championing causes close to her heart such as literacy advocacy. Alongside providing under resourced schools with reading books for their libraries she is also a National Book Week ambassador and is also a mentor to a young lady at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.

I hope it’s an opportunity for art lovers, wherever you might find yourself on that scale, to revel in this opportunity to tap into the minds of all the people we’ll be chatting to in Season 1; and to get to know them a little bit more, to feel as though you have connected to their essence... to what makes them tick... what makes them who they are... what inspires them... and of course, to just listen in to these conversations that are so meaningful, important and relevant. - Refiloe Mpakanyane

The Latitudes Podcast will be released every second Wednesday, in our weekly Wednesday newsletter.

Further Reading In Articles

African Artist Directory

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